Post-Operative Instructions

Post-Operative Instructions

Activity:

• After the surgery, RELAX FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE DAY. AVOID STRENUOUS ACTIVITY  (including aerobics, golf and swimming)for several days.

Discomfort:

• Some discomfort may be present when the anesthesia wears off.  If you have been given a prescription PLEASE TAKE YOUR MEDICATION AS DIRECTED.
• Black and blue marks are bruises and may occur after surgery. Usually you don't notice them.  Sometimes the skin is temporarily discolored. 
• If you have any concerns, please call our staff at 408-251-2022.

Swelling

• A slight amount of swelling and/or bruising may occur on the first or second day following surgery.
• For the first 24 hours, you should apply a cold compress – ice pack – to your face, alternating it on for 20 minutes, then off for 20 minutes, or hold ice water in your mouth.
• After the first 24 hours, if swelling has occurred, apply a warm – not hot – moist compress such as a wash cloth to your face in the same manner.

Bleeding

• There may be occasional blood stains in your saliva during the first few days. This is normal and to be expected.
• Excessive bleeding is neither normal nor to be expected. If bleeding is excessive, apply moist gauze or a tea bag, but not herbal tea moistened in warm water on each side of the surgical area or dressing and hold it with firm, continuous pressure for 1 hour. Repeat this procedure if necessary. DO NOT CHEW ON IT.
• Do not spit, vigorously rinse mouth, smoke, drink through a straw, or clench teeth.
• If excessive bleeding continues, please call our office.
• IF THERE IS A LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL 911 OR GO TO THE NEAREST HOSPITOL EMERGENCY FACILITY.

Diet

• Drink lots of liquids, and eat anything you can swallow comfortably.
• For the next few days avoid anything too hot, cold, hard, sticky, or spicy, and preferably CONSUME SOFT FOODS AND LIQUIDS OF MODERATE TEMPERATURE.
• PLEASE DO NOT DRINK THROUGH A STRAW, DO NOT CREATE A "SUCKING" ACTION IN YOUR MOUTH.

Antibiotics

• If antibiotics are prescribed, take them as directed until all have been taken.
• If a rash or any other type of allergic reaction should occur, discontinue use and call our office.

Sutures

• If you have sutures that have to be removed, you will be informed when to come in for their removal. Do not try to remove your own sutures.

Oral Hygiene

• DO NOT BRUSH/FLOSS THE SURGICAL AREA FOR 7 DAYS, but CONTINUE TO BRUSH/FLOSS IN THE THE REST OF THE MOUTH.
• You may also use warm salt-water rinses (1/2 tsp. salt added to a glass of water), but DO NOT RINSE YOUR MOUTH VIGOROUSLY AND DO NOT SPIT (Spitting will cause more bleeding. Excess saliva and a little blood may appear as a lot of bleeding).
• DO NOT DISTURB THE WHITE MEMBRANE PROTECTING THE WOUND/EXTRACTION SIDE.
• DO NOT USE TOOTH PICK, ONLY USE THE SMALL SYRINGE TO FLUSH DEBRIS OUT.
• DO NOT USE WATER PICK

Smoking

• Please DO NOT SMOKE AFTER THE SURGERY for at least 48 hours because of risk of complications.
• Healing results are significantly worse in smoker than in non-smokers.

Alcohol

• PLEASE STOP DRINKING ALCOHOL UNTIL SUTURES ARE REMOVED. The combination of alcohol and certain medications prescribed in our office is not recommended.